1. Coordinate Adjectives

2. Switch-a-Roo Test ( copyright: Berg) You need a comma between adjectives if they pass both of the tests: AND Test Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written in reverse order? Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written with and between them?

3. The pianist played a beautiful haunting melody. Does it pass the Switch-a-Roo test?yes no Does it pass the AND test?yesno Correct comma usage: The pianist played a beautiful, haunting melody comma needed

4. The cold December wind chilled me to my bones. Does it pass the Switch-a-Roo test?yes no Does it pass the AND test?yesno Correct Without Commas

5. Let’s go catch the 8:00 show at that old drive-in movie theater. Does it pass the Switch-a-Roo test?yes no Does it pass the AND test?yesno Correct Without Commas

6. Essential vs. Non-essential Clauses

7. Mexico City the biggest city in the world has many interesting archaeological sites. essentialnon-essential non-essential c ommas needed Mexico City, the biggest city in the world, has many interesting archaeological sites. We don't need to know that Mexico city is the biggest city in the world to know what it has interesting archaeological sites.

8. I gave my lecture notes to Abhay who is a friend of mine. essentialnon-essential non-essential c ommas needed I gave my lecture notes to Abhay, who is a friend of mine. We don't need to know what Abhay is a friend of yours - extra info.

9. Freddie hopes to return to the city where he met a woman with haunting green eyes. Which of the many cities on the planet? The one where Freddie met a memorable woman! essentialnon-essential essential no commas needed

10. essentialnon-essential My mother a lovely woman baked cupcakes for my birthday. My mother, a lovely woman, baked cupcakes for my birthday. non-essential c ommas needed We don't need to know that she is a lovely woman - extra info. Without it, we still know the subject and what the subject is doing.

11. Jill as a matter of fact ate the last slice. essentialnon-essential non-essential c ommas needed Jill, as a matter of fact, ate the last slice. It interrupts the sentence.

12. The most untidy area of the house Benny's study room is packed full of books. essentialnon-essential The most untidy area of the house, Benny's study room is packed full of books. non-essential c ommas needed

13. The man who ordered another double anchovy pizza claims to have a pet dolphin in his backyard pool. Which man among the billions of human males on the planet? The one who ordered the double anchovy pizza! essentialnon-essential essential n o commas needed

14. My friend's car a red classic convertible with buckle seats is the topic of discussion today. essentialnon-essential non-essential c ommas needed My friend's car, a red classic convertible with buckle seats, is the topic of discussion today.

15. Ms. Elizabeth my vice-principal punished me for not doing homework. essentialnon-essential non-essential c ommas needed Ms. Elizabeth, my vice-principal, punished me for not doing homework.

16. Herald passed away yesterday who was a great writer. essentialnon-essential non-essential c ommas needed Herald passed away yesterday, who was a great writer.

17. The girl that lost her purse reported her lost credit card immediately. Which girl among the billions of human girls on the planet? The one that lost her purse. “ that" indicates essential essentialnon-essential essential n o commas needed